[joesbucks]

I've been scanning through the comments in the thread Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell. I was surprised by the number of people that admitted they suffered through bouts of depression and how many themselves have gone so far as to ponder taking a gun to themselves or even getting the gun in the position of taking their life. Again, I was very surprised.

I will make some observations that are mine, and admittedly may be very wrong or amplified through my own personal experiences. This vanity was created to begin a general discussion as to why there seems to be such an epidemic of this type of condition or illness and why it's showing in what appears to be more frequently than I ever envisioned.

This site seems to be populated by mostly conservative who believe in inner self strength, accountability, self reliance and other character traits that demonstrate individualism. There generally is a leaning toward Judeo-Christian values. These values generally teach that the solution is found in faith and faith alone. Faith will sustain and solve the problems. Self inflicting death is wrong. (Please understand, this is my understanding. I tried to put this in a delicate wording as possible, yet it still appears to be harsh and judgemental.)

Again this purpose of this is to exchange ideas on the subject, which seems to amplify as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach.

I too seem to suffer from very dark days, although I've never been in the situation where I seriously comtemplated taking my life. I will admit to having felt that life had no true meaning, but never have I entertained taking my life.

I'm interested in what others have experienced, what got them out of their "funk" and are you ever really cured of these conditions. Many will suggest turning to God, Christ or some other form of faith. I have. I try to surround myself with not only ideals based on faith, but anything generally positive. Yet, just the other day I felt for a few moments a horrible despair.

Again, this is for discussion and sources of solution.

Hope your Christmas holiday and New Year are filled with joy, peace, happiness and prosperity.

[IronJack]

I would suggest that it is normal for ALL people to feel doubt, and that your despair arises from that doubt. The human mind has a great capacity for playing "what if" games with itself.

But faith defeats doubt. And the consolation for doubters is in the Bible. Granted, it becomes a circular argument: if there is no God then the Bible is simply a collection of aphorisms, the dusty opinions of mortal men. But since your funk arises from a choice you make -- doubting -- then your salvation also arises from a choice -- faith.

[RaceBannon]

I'm interested in what others have experienced, what got them out of their "funk" and are you ever really cured of these conditions.

Knowing that God is in charge, and if we are rightly related to Him as His word says, by keeping that in mind, you can keep some sanity through it all. By trusting Him only, not yourself, not others, not your situation, not your knowlege, not your good looks, but Trusting God.

I was expecting to get laid off in the next two weeks, and got news yesterday that I am being extended for another 3 months. God is good, whether we are being given gifts or caused to trust Him more through trials and tribulations.

The only answer is to trust Him in all things, AND TO SAY THANK YOU EVERY DAY for ALL blessings!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Sell!

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Think and Grow Rich - by Napoleon Hill has some very good sections on autosuggestion - ie your subconscious is a willing slave - if you tell it to be happy it will be - end of story, no questions asked.

This ties in with your bit about the Judeo-Christian faith - if your subconscious believes you are going to heaven then it's probably very difficult to be unhappy.

[Lazamataz]

I've been scanning through the comments in the thread Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell. I was surprised by the number of people that admitted they suffered through bouts of depression and how many themselves have gone so far as to ponder taking a gun to themselves or even getting the gun in the position of taking their life. Again, I was very surprised.

I'm no longer surprised. Freepers are a cross-section of society. When Rush gave me the courage to come out about my (in-recovery) addiction to drugs, I was stunned at the number of people that came forward or Freepmailed me that they, too, were members of Narcotics Anonymous.

[Amelia]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

Or perhaps only the FReepers who have experience in those areas tend to post on those threads, giving the impression of larger numbers?

Not that I have any answers, mind you, but they are interesting questions (to me, anyway...)

[Physicist]

I don't think philosophy correlates with mood at all. I've known depressed people who've turned towards religion, and depressed people who've turned away. They've remained depressed in every case. The only thing I personally have seen work is Prozac.

For the opposite effect, I offer myself as an example. I'm one of those insufferably happy people. Of course, bad events upset me, and of course I have my "sad" days, but my default state is that I'm really happy. Sometimes my happiness is punctuated by periods of near euphoria, and these are not caused by any events or circumstances in my life. They certainly are not religious in nature, as I am an agnostic.

I conclude from all of this that one's mood is largely determined by physiology.

[rface]

These values generally teach that the solution is found in faith and faith alone. Faith will sustain and solve the problems.

I did not read the thread(s) you refered to, but I was told about them by my wife. Dispair and desparation and depression. Adressing these conditions is not JUST about relying on faith ALONE - Family and friends and strangers all can work with God to help those suffering from these aflictions.

I have seen depressed people shut themselves off from the rest of the world and in the process they have shut themselves off from those who might help them.

If you or anyone reading this are caught in the trap of depression or are filled with dispair and desparation then call a family member - or maybe better a Priest/Pastor/Rabbi or whatever...... Don't let it continue to grow. Too often it grows worse over time and it is so sad because there are treatments that can - and do - help.

Anyone can Freepmail me

[MizSterious]

Joesbucks and all--"God helps those who help themselves"--so yes, pray, but also do. We were never promised an easy life, but Jesus has said He would support us when we need it, if we call on Him.

The things that have worked best for me are:

1. When depression sets in (no matter how well-justified--or not), find something meaningful to do. Often helping someone else is the best Rx: volunteering seems to work it out of me.

Also, it's been said that being inactive somehow induces boredom, which can grow into full-blown depression. Walk. Run. Ride a bike. Clean house. Or do volunteer work.

2. Smile. Even if no one's around. Even if a smile seems like the last thing I want to do. Research has shown that simply by going through the motions releases chemicals in the body that help move the depression on out.

I do these things in addition to prayer. The simple activity of praying--just sitting quietly, hands together, in the company of God, often leaves me with a sense of peace I can't find elsewhere--not even close. But one can pray and walk, work, etc., at the same time--as I often do. I don't save it for "just" Sundays.

Some have advised talking it out with others--this is probably one of the best things to do, but not everyone is willing to open up and discuss this sort of thing, not even with family. Still, it's probably good advice, for those who can manage it.

I am so very sorry to hear a Freeper was lost to us in this way. My prayers for him and his family.

[livesbygrace]

Does this sound familiar...
'My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing. My strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my body has wasted away.
Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances. Those who see me in the street flee from me. I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.'

This is David in the Psalms, psalm 31:9b-12. He then cries out to the Lord and puts his trust in Him. Everything changes because of his relationship with God.

[StatesEnemy]

All suffering is a result of desire.

[prairiebreeze]

I had one episode of serious depression. It was incapacitating and one of the scariest experiences of my life.

My brain chemistry actually felt out of kilter. Really. It's hard to explain, but true. Prozac was a life saver.

I took the medication for a few months and haven't needed it since, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask for it again if needed. It's been probably at least 10 years since that experience. I had some therapy which helped with certain issues too.

I have a firm, unshakable belief in God. And I will say that during that time, without medical intervention, I don't think that would have been enough.

Prairie

[hardhead]

What I and wife did (the funk popped up every holiday season) was to completely eliminate the commercialization of Christmas in our lives. All our kids and grandkids were advised that we would no longer give gifts at Christmas but concentrate on the celebration of their birthdays when they popped up. Each of them gets something special that we have thought out good! Not just numbers and prices. We had a yard sale and got rid of all the 'cute' little holiday trinkets: elves, santas, train sets, wrapped package ornaments, etc., and are re-doing our Christmas decorations with manger scenes, angels, and reminders of The Christ.

We decided to reserve Christmas for the One whose birthday is rejoiced. We concentrated on our faith and not what Wally World thought we should buy for someone. We elected to explore ways to increase our faith through improvements to ourselves and what we could do for others.

Lo, and behold, the blue funk has disappeared. I can honestly say that there has been no Christmas season previous where we have been filled with such joy.

[VOA]

This site seems to be populated by mostly conservative who believe in inner self
strength, accountability, self reliance and other character traits that
demonstrate individualism. There generally is a leaning toward Judeo-Christian values.

These values generally teach that the solution is found in faith and faith alone.
Faith will sustain and solve the problems. Self inflicting death is wrong.
(Please understand, this is my understanding. I tried to put this in a delicate
wording as possible, yet it still appears to be harsh and judgemental.)

Not to worry, you posed the situation well and kindly.

Let me at least explain the vantage point from which I see the same situation.

A reading of the Old and New Testaments reveals a lot of real, flawed, defective
people that were part of the story of the Jewish and Christian faiths/ethos.
IIRC, Jesus said that it was the sick (in spirit) that needed a physician, not the "well" people.

And, I think a fuller reading of some of the letters following Acts show that
while faith was viewed as a crucial part of wellness...severe illness
required action, e.g., letting the leaders of the church know you were sick,
to have them pray over you and anoint the ill with oil (about as good a medicinal
fix as there was at the time, I suppose). Even Paul prescribes MODERATE consumption of
wine (alcohol and all those good phytochemicals) for an upset stomach.

Speaking for myself alone, I think the real situation is this...people sick (in spirit
and/or body) often are sustained by their religious faith. That is crucial.
BUT, they should seek reasonable medical treatment of their illness, whether it's
psychological or bodily.
I fear that there are some people who suffer from depression and may not seek
treatment because they "put all their eggs in one basket" and expect that
faith, without action, will cure them...and some sink so low they lose their grip and
release themselves via suicide.
They should have faith AND take action by seeking appropriate medical help.
And their family and friends should try to help those who "can't help themselves", if possible.

I guess I would pose a counter-thought question:
"How many suicides are prevented because of faith?"
We can't know the answer to the question, but I suspect the number is substantial.

I admit that my thinking of this has been influenced somewhat by that tough,
pragmatic old Marine...the preacher/pastor Chuck Swindoll (www.insight.org).

[tubebender]

which seems to amplify as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach.

I wonder if the lack of sun light has more effect on this than just because it's the Holidays. I know that alcohol consumption increases here in Humboldt County during the winter...

[Skooz]

My dad used to tell me that people who are happy all the time are "all in the funny farm."

[New Horizon]

taking a gun to themselves

Is that what happened, here? I was on the thread yesterday but that wasn't mentioned.

[tineke]

One of Chris's last posts.. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/846417/posts#25

[PrepareToLeave]

Thanks for posting this thread. I think you're right, depression is everywhere. I realize I take a little different slant than many, but here I go.

I suffer horribly from depression and I'm on meds. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and enjoy a wonderful, comforting relationship with Him and actively serve Him.

There are times when it just hits me out of the blue. BAM! And there it is, awful. All kinds of thoughts like suicide enter my brain. When this happens, you are not rational. You can't think clearly enough to work your way out.

I am a prayer warrior and intercessor, which means I pray for others and I pray against Satan and his demons. If we who believe in God, do not realize the power and determination of His enemy, we are deceived. Satan attacks the mind, especially if you are a believer because it is his objective to stop your witness.

This is why we can't pin the cause on any one thing in this world, i.e. too much bad news, worry, stress, etc. There is a common cause. There is an enormous battle raging.

[AppyPappy]

although I've never been in the situation where I seriously comtemplated taking my life.

Oddly, I thought everyone had considered it.